Eric Abidal recovering well following operation

Barcelona defender Eric Abidal is in ‘good shape and high spirits’ following an operation to remove a tumour in his liver according to the club's sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta.

The 31-year old French international underwent surgery in Barcelona last Thursday and is expected to leave hospital later his week.

News of Abidal’s illness shocked the world of football last week and his peers were quick to offer their support, especially via social networking site Twitter, while Real Madrid players wore t-shirts with Abidal’s name on them which they unveiled following their defeat of Abidal’s former club Lyon in the Champions League last week.

Players from Barcelona and Getafe also wore t-shirts in support of the player at the weekend, while Barcelona fans cheered in the 22nd minute of each half (Abidal wears the number 22 jersey for Barca) of the 2-1 victory for the Catalan giants at the Nou Camp.

Abidal is highly unlikely to play again this season, but Zubizarreta was happy to report that his recovery is going well.

"He is fine, in good shape and in high spirits," Zubizarreta told Mundo Deportivo after visiting Abidal at the hospital.

"I passed on all the signs of affection that many clubs have sent him."